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9 Feb 2026 1:05

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An investigation's underway after the rare death of someone drowning while swimming between the flags

An investigation's underway after the rare death of someone drowning while swimming between the flags

6 February 2025

Experts say 25-year-old Abhishek Arora's death is at least the second in a regularly patrolled area.

He was swimming with friends at West Auckland's Piha Beach last Tuesday - when he got caught in a rip.

Surf Life Saving says conditions at the time were rough and choppy - and it's carrying out a review.

Water Safety says between 2015 and 2024, 186 people drowned while swimming in New Zealand.

It says in the same period, only one person drowned while swimming in an area regularly patrolled by volunteer lifeguards in summer months.

This was also at Piha in 2021.

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